The Press: 999

When a citizen of London hears stealthy footsteps in his pantry, finds
his drawing room in flames, or stumbles over a body on the stairs, he
knows precisely what to do. He picks up the nearest telephone, dials
999, and waits for help to come. For number 999 on London's exchange
brings policemen, fire engines, ambulances on the run.

One morning last week when the staid London Times turned up at breakfast
with these cryptic numerals above a report of the previous day's debate
in Parliament, every good Londoner got the allusion. Britain's
bungling,...